IRAEF Scholarship Application

Section 1 - General Information

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Friday, April 25,2025 | Scholarship correspondence may be mailed and/or emailed. To ensure you receive information promptly, please provide the mailing address, email address, and phone number where you can be contacted. *IMPORTANT NOTE* If you do not receive confirmation or correspondence within 1 week of application submission, please contact Katelyn Adams immediately: kadams@restaurantiowa.com or 515-276-1454.

Are you a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien?*

Name*

First Middle Initial Last

Primary Email Address*

Primary Phone Number*

Cell Phone Number*

Permanent Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

Gender

Race/Ethnicity

(You may supply this information voluntarily. The Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation administers an equal opportunity scholarship program.)

Please specify.*

Date of Birth*

Current Age*

How did you first learn about the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation Scholarship opportunity?*

Please specify.

Have you received a scholarship from the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation before?*

Section 2 - Academic Information

Please include information on the school/college you will be attending next term.

Name of High School from which you graduated/will graduate*

Year you graduated/will graduate from High School*

Have you taken any ProStart® classes?*

Are you in the process of applying for the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement?*

Have you earned the Prostart National Certificate of Achievement?*

Are you ServSafe® Certified?*

What is your current Cumulative GPA or GED average standard score?*

Please use the GPA or GED score stated on the transcripts submitted with your application packet.

College you are/will be attending*

School Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

What type of college will you attend?*

Will you attend a private or public college?*

When do you expect to graduate from this College?*

What is/will be your major?*

What is/will be your minor or specialization?*

Please upload your current transcript*

Max. file size: 8 MB.

List any academic honors or awards you have received in the past two years and the year you received them.

List any offices or leadership positions you hold/have held in the past two years. Include the date, organization, and your position.

List any other extracurricular, volunteer, or community-based activities you participate in.

Section 3 - Employment Information

The IRAEF Scholarship committee will evaluate you on your industry work experience. Please include your most recent work experience first.

Have you ever worked in the restaurant, foodservice, or hospitality industry?*

Industry Work Experience - please include Company Name and City, Company Phone Number, Type of Business, Job Title and Duties, Start Date and End Date*

Section 4 - Additional Information

Which area(s) of the restaurant and foodservice industry are you interested in as a possible career choice?*

You may choose more than one option. To select multiple, hold the Ctrl key and click.

Please specify.*

Section 5 - Essay Questions & Uploads

Please type and upload responses as PDF documents (.docx documents will not be accepted). Responses should be no more than 500 words. Tips for success: Be detailed. Spell check. Save your work.

Essay Question 1. Write a detailed essay on your plans to work in the restaurant/foodservice/hospitality industry. (Min. word count: 100, Max. word count: 500)*

Questions to consider: Why do you want to work in restaurants/foodservice/hospitality? Have you previously worked in this industry? How were you exposed to the industry? What type of career would you like to have in the industry? How long do you see yourself working in this industry? What are your short term goals when you enter this industry? What are your long term goals in working in this industry?

Max. file size: 8 MB.

Essay Question 2. Tell us what receiving a scholarship would mean to you. (Min. word count: 100, Max. word count: 500)*

Questions to consider: Why did you pursue your chosen major? Why is an education important to you? What are your career goals? How will this scholarship help you?

Max. file size: 8 MB.

Essay Question 3. Describe a great challenge that you have had to face. How did you overcome it and what personal characteristics do you believe helped you? (Min. word count: 100, Max. word count: 500)*

Max. file size: 8 MB.

Essay Question 4. Describe what positive impact you would like to make in the restaurant/foodservice/hospitality industry through your education. (Min. word count: 50, Max. word count: 100)*

Questions to consider: What do you hope to contribute to the industry? What issues do you hope to solve? How will you make the industry better?

Max. file size: 8 MB.

Essay Question 5. "Leadership is not a title or a position, it is action and example." - Seth Godin. Please share a situation in your life that exemplifies this quote. (Min. word count: 50, Max. word count: 200)*

Questions to consider: Have you taken on a leadership position on a project, in the classroom, at work, etc.? How did you lead by example in that situation?

Max. file size: 8 MB.

Essay Question 6. In ONE WORD - Describe what you love about the restaurant/hospitality industry: (Min. word count: 1, Max. word count: 1)*

Max. file size: 8 MB.

Please upload your post-secondary acceptance letter OR proof of enrollment*

Max. file size: 8 MB.

Please upload letter(s) of recommendation*

Max. file size: 8 MB.

Please upload letter of recommendation 2

Max. file size: 8 MB.

Please upload letter of recommendation 3

Max. file size: 8 MB.

PLEASE READ PRIOR TO ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE

To the best of my knowledge, I have provided the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation (IRAEF) with accurate information concerning all questions on this application. I agree to report to the IRAEF any changes which could affect consideration of my application. I understand that failure to provide valid and complete information could result in the withdrawal of all financial assistance and recall of all awards previously made by the IRAEF. | I understand and acknowledge that all communications and notifications regarding this scholarship application may be conducted via e-mail to the e-mail address I have provided. It is my obligation to keep my contact information up to date at all times. | I understand and acknowledge that submitting a scholarship application does not guarantee a scholarship award. | I understand and acknowledge that if awarded, my scholarship funds may be forfeited if I am found to not meet the eligibility criteria as stated by the IRAEF now or at any time before funds are awarded. | Furthermore, if I become a scholarship recipient, I agree to have my information released to promote the IRAEF Scholarship Program throughout the restaurant and foodservice industry.

Electronic Signature*

First Middle Initial Last

Signature of Parent or Guardian (required if applicant is under the age of 18)

First Middle Initial Last

Date

Phone*

Thank You!

All applicants will be notified of their status via U.S. Mail and/or Email and/or Phone. Submit this completed application, transcripts, copy of your post-secondary acceptance letter or proof of enrollment (or if not yet accepted, your statement concerning where your application is pending) and letter(s) of recommendation no later than Friday, April 25, 2025.

Brewery/Brewery Restaurant Management
Catering/Banquet
Culinary Arts
Education
Entrepreneurship/Business Ownership
Environmental Health/Sustainability
Events Management
Facilities Design
Fine Dining
Food Journalist
Food Safety
Food Stylist
Foodservice Advertising/Marketing
Foodservice Communications
Foodservice Supply/Distribution
Full Service Operations
Healthcare Foodservice Management
Hotel/Lodging
Nutrition/Food Science
On-site Foodservice
Purchasing and Sales
Quick Service
Restaurant Management
Restaurant/Foodservice Equipment & Supplies
School Foodservice
Supply Chain Management for Restaurant & Foodservice
Training & HR
Viticulture
Other

2025 IRAEF Scholarship Online Application

Section 1 - General Information

Section 2 - Academic Information

Section 3 - Employment Information

Section 4 - Additional Information

Section 5 - Essay Questions & Uploads

PLEASE READ PRIOR TO ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE

Thank You!